Dec

21

Celebrating the solstice by being born again.

December 21, 2009 | 28 Comments

While today isn’t the most depressing day of the year, it is the shortest.

Today is the winter solstice. For those of us in the northern hemisphere, today marks the end of the shortening of sunlight. Starting tomorrow, it will be lighter a little bit longer. For this reason, the solstice is often seen as a symbolic rebirth.

My grandfather always marks the summer and winter solstice by standing an egg on its end. But, as it turns out, you can stand an egg on its end any day of the year. Apparently, the egg-standing tradition comes from China and is generally attached the equinox (not the solstice). Nonetheless, balancing an egg (a symbol of fertility) on a day of rebirth is a significant gesture.

Today, I honor our many rebirths.

Of course, rebirths need not be reserved for solstices. Each moment of each minute of each hour of each day, we have the opportunity to be born anew. Our bodies are constantly in a state of renewal, yet mentally, emotionally and spiritually, we often choose to be guided by the collection of our dusty past experiences. But it’s a choice. And every now and then, we relinquish our attachment to our perspectives, beliefs and ideas.

Just think of the trees: they let the birds perch and fly, with no intention to call them when they come and no longing for their return when they fly away. If people’s hearts can be like the trees, they will not be off the Way.

On this day of rebirth, I hope you find balance, light and love.

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Comments

28 Comments

  • At 2009.12.21 21:21, Hilary said:

    haha, It was you that was talking about how many eggs were consumed down there yes? haha

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    • At 2009.12.21 21:21, Hilary said:

      P.S I love you

      [Reply]
      • At 2009.12.21 23:16, Nazzie said:

        Wow. I never knew such thing. Since there’s no winter here in Singapore & the sun is always shining brightly no matter what time of the year. & thanks for sharing you egg tradition. Its very fascinating. (:

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        • At 2009.12.21 23:25, joseph said:

          Happy Yule to our pagan friends. Rejoice-for it is our journey through darkness that leads us to the light. :-)

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          • At 2009.12.21 23:37, Leland said:

            Blessed Solstice to all and a joyous celebration of Sol Invictus – the unconquered Sun.

            Solstice is a real event that happens twice a year. Christmas is a mythological event that never actually happened regardless of how many people think it did.

            Why not join us, neo-pagans, and celebrate reality rather than fantasy.

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            • At 2009.12.22 00:48, Zil said:

              To me the question isn’t about what’s “real” or “fantasy,” I look for something to be celebrated. Whether it’s the miscalculated birthdate of a religious leader or an actual occurrence (which should theoretically change slightly every year), so long as people are celebrating and trying to come together the holiday gets my support. .

              To me, what is most important about the idea of rebirth is still maintaining one’s own true identity. Or, at least, being reborn while maintaining truth to oneself. As much as I’d like to think I could be reborn one day and suddenly feel comfortable with a bar or never be as peevish as I can be again, it’s unrealistic–it will take many days and many rebirths. I look at this blog as inspiration to be reborn in different ways and I enjoy reading how others look at life, though usually I enjoy it more when people are supportive of groups and embracing rather than trying to squash the enjoyment of another group.

              (Plus something could be said for the fact that the neo-pagan and wiccan movements were started in the 50s. Just saying. ;) )

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              • At 2009.12.22 02:05, Daemon said:

                On this shortest of days, I met someone. Wow…

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                • At 2009.12.22 03:52, FluffyBri said:

                  When one makes the choice to be born, the have also chosen to die. You can’t be born again without earning it.

                  If you can consciously choose to be born again, then you have not truly beem born again, because such a full and glorious action can only be experienced if everything was the opposite prior.

                  It is only when we have lost all faith and hope, when we can truly experience the amazing experience of being born again.

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                  • At 2009.12.22 07:58, Steve said:

                    But I love the darkness!!

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                    • At 2009.12.22 08:24, davvi said:

                      Davey, “you” nevah-cease to amaze-me with “your” insight and wisdom :-) ’. You teach-us in so-many ways, and we-all Love “You” endlessly! And again, “Merry Christmas” and Happy New year to you, Chipotle-Marie-Claire, and the-rest of your family and friends. Also “Merry CHRISTmas” to “You,” Leland (and GOD and JESUS “Love-You, regardless of how You view THEIR existence, or non-existence). Peace to-You, Leland. And “Merry Christmas” and Happy New year to Everyone-here and in ["The Chat-room,"] and “Thanks-again Davey for ["That Gift"] from you to “All” of us! Love and Peace to All you-guys, … … … davvi PS- Davey, this fon does “the little yellow faces.” Is there a way for you to activate the faces on this, your blog?!

                      [Reply]
                      • At 2009.12.22 08:26, joey by the bay said:

                        My dad and I celebrate this day as the HAPPIEST day of the year, for with the dawning of the new day we are gifted with increased daylight for the next 6 months. Rejoice and celebrate the light of the world!

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                        • At 2009.12.22 08:59, christopher said:

                          yeah-i love the darkness so much-im lighting a candle.when weve endured a number of gloomy snowy days recently nothing brightens a room by lighting a candle-and oh yes DW-cracking a smile.

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                          • At 2009.12.22 09:14, christopher said:

                            yeah-something like those ancient Nordic Gods-celebrating Winter Solstice or dancing around the Maypole-Midsummer Nights Eve.i would think those celebrations are taken from Pagan traditions.yes-so too is Christmas.Christian adaptation of Pagan worship and practices.that symbolism is all out there.

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                            • At 2009.12.22 09:29, christopher said:

                              DW-always creative ways of describing whats all around us.if on the other hand-living in southern hemisphere-its a hot time in the cities-beaches-etc.ah-Christmas at the beach-working on your tan?

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                              • At 2009.12.22 09:47, Roxytherotten said:

                                So now finally we in south can look forward to the wind down of this blasted inferno of a summer!

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                                • At 2009.12.22 09:50, Axcella Zelensky said:

                                  Went to a Winter Solstice at our City Hall last night for an enjoyable celebration reminding us the Sun will return.
                                  I loved the experience.
                                  We were all given candles to take home and light up the night.
                                  I set mine up in the snow outside my window last night.
                                  I like the simple concept of Solstice, nothing majorly expensive about it.

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                                  • At 2009.12.22 11:14, eric said:

                                    I live in a region where there’s an huge quantity of megaliths. It seems that, for our ancestors, the passage to solstices played an important role and it’s funny that some cromlechs, built normally like a stone circle, have an egg form!

                                    What to think of?
                                    Rebirths? I don’t know ; I didn’t lay the foundation stone!

                                    Those rites remain, for me shrouded, in mystery!

                                    bye,

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                                    • At 2009.12.22 11:55, joey said:

                                      and some incense with that candle :-)

                                      I love you Davey Wavey!

                                      joey

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                                      • At 2009.12.22 11:57, Vance said:

                                        It is certainly brighter for the shortest day of the year compared with my small view of the world this time last year.

                                        I hope your view of the world is bright and warm, and in good heath. Happy Holidays!

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                                        • At 2009.12.22 12:29, joseph said:

                                          i hear you christopher – i’d trade a whole box of candles for one of DW’s smiles. :)

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                                          • At 2009.12.22 12:35, carlos said:

                                            such boring stuff

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                                            • At 2009.12.22 15:48, Jim said:

                                              You must be young……in time these things may mean something to you if you let them.

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                                              • At 2009.12.22 16:35, Super Amazing Carlos said:

                                                Hm…
                                                actually, Christmas IS a celebration of the solstice.

                                                You see, Jesus [an ACTUAL human by historical accounts, as much fantasy as any piece of history] was really born in March. Romans celebrated the birth of “apollo” during the winter solstice, the beginning of longer days, the day when the light started to come out again. The Fathers of the Church, when officializing Christianism in Rome, changed the date of the birth of Jesus to match the birth of Apollo [hence, Christ after the Roman Church has many traits that were taken from Apollo].

                                                Reality has many faces, but Truth has only one. The thing is, we only get to guess about it.

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                                                • At 2009.12.22 16:36, Super Amazing Carlos said:

                                                  A good day to go hunting. Thanks for the tip!

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                                                  • At 2009.12.22 19:14, Lou said:

                                                    Carlos….Be respectful of other people…
                                                    What you don’t understand at this moment…it’s OK !!! But please don’t judge them…I KNOW I was like that as well…
                                                    What our beautiful friend posted was beautiful as well…do not look at him as just an object…yes he does look HOT…but his soul is very much advanced…
                                                    So, I’ll take both his postings physical/ spiritual and honor that…happy lives I wish to all of you..and very happy holidays guys !!

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                                                    • At 2009.12.23 15:14, Cliveey said:

                                                      What’sm to celebrate? I celebrate the God who made us and cares for us and loves us.
                                                      Paganism is futile.
                                                      Without the love of the creator behind it all the earth is just some dumb inanimate object with interesting patterns of behaviour in response to universal forces.
                                                      At best its like admiring the car more than the genius and hard work of the people who designed it.

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                                                      • At 2009.12.24 00:01, Greg said:

                                                        It’s always amazing how we love to speculate about things none of us can ever know.

                                                        Yet what we do know is that we are alive here and now on a precious tiny Earth that is able to sustain us because of the Sun’s enormous energy. When we get more of it we are delighted. When it is more scarce, as at this time in the Northern Hemisphere, we long for its return.

                                                        Rejoice in this moment of return towards the light. Humans have always known this simple truth. It needs no books to teach it to us. We only have to watch and see the world around us. How marvelous it is. And how fantastic that as we shiver in the cold here in the north, our friends in Australia are sweltering under the summer solstice heat.

                                                        A few weeks ago my mother passed away. Each morning she would open her door in Florida and greet the day with “Good morning, World!” I have taken up her simple daily ritual. I offer it to you as a Yule tide gift.

                                                        Now that’s something to celebrate!

                                                        Be well,

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                                                        • At 2009.12.25 00:47, WillY said:

                                                          Hi
                                                          I’m Willy. How are you?
                                                          Is your grandpa a Chinese?
                                                          I never heard that egg-standing tradition, as a chinese.
                                                          However, it’s interesting(I tried)

                                                          Merry Christmas
                                                          Best whishes

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